The hum of the security system filled the silence of the safehouse. Elijah leaned back against the couch, watching Dominic's tense posture as he studied the surveillance monitors. Vincent was double-checking their weapons, while Adrian sat across from Elijah, arms crossed, looking utterly exhausted.
Elijah exhaled sharply. "So, what's the plan? We hide out here forever?"
Dominic finally turned from the monitors, his gaze locked onto Elijah. "No. We strike first."
Adrian scoffed. "Are you insane? Matteo just ambushed us, and your response is to go after him?"
Dominic's jaw tightened. "If we wait, he'll hit us again—stronger."
Vincent nodded in agreement. "He's right. Matteo knows we escaped. He won't let that stand."
Elijah ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, fine. But what's the actual plan? Because walking into Matteo's territory sounds like the fastest way to get killed."
Dominic stepped closer, his voice low but sharp. "We won't be walking in. We'll make him come to us."
Elijah frowned. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
Dominic smirked. "By taking something he values."
Adrian let out a dry laugh. "Oh, great. We're robbing a mafia boss now?"
Elijah sat forward, narrowing his eyes. "What exactly are we taking?"
Dominic exchanged a look with Vincent before answering. "His shipments. Drugs. Weapons. Money. Matteo runs half his business through illegal cargo routes. If we hit those, he'll have no choice but to retaliate."
Elijah hesitated. "And what happens when he does?"
Dominic's eyes darkened. "Then we finish this."
---
Later That Night
Vincent had mapped out their targets—three major shipment hubs Matteo controlled. The first was a warehouse near the docks. The second, a hidden loading zone disguised as a shipping company. The third, a private airstrip where Matteo smuggled high-value cargo.
Elijah stood next to Adrian, watching as Vincent loaded their weapons. "This is insane," Adrian muttered. "You know that, right?"
Elijah let out a shaky laugh. "Yeah. But I think I got used to 'insane' a while ago."
Adrian glanced at him. "And you're really okay with all this? Mafia wars, shootouts, hiding in safehouses?"
Elijah hesitated. Was he okay with it? No. But Dominic had dragged him so deep into this world that walking away didn't feel like an option anymore.
"…I don't know," Elijah admitted. "But I know that if we don't do something, Matteo's just going to keep coming after us."
Adrian sighed. "I hate that you make sense sometimes."
Dominic walked over, his expression unreadable. "We leave in an hour."
Elijah met his gaze. "And after this? What then?"
Dominic's lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Then there's no turning back."
Elijah swallowed hard.
No turning back.
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